Russia Bolsters Arctic Military Presence, Finland Expresses Concern Over Border Facilities

Finland Raises Alarm Over Russian Arctic Buildup

Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen stated on February 16, 2026, that Russia is significantly reinforcing its strategic military capabilities in the Arctic region and constructing new military facilities along its border with Finland. Speaking in an interview with Euronews on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Häkkänen emphasized the 'critical' importance of the Arctic for European defense. He noted that Russia's actions mirror those seen 'just like during the Cold War'.

Strategic Assets Concentrated in Kola Peninsula

According to Minister Häkkänen, Russia maintains most of its largest strategic assets, including nuclear weapons, submarines, and long-range bombers, within the Kola Peninsula area. This region, a 100,000-square-kilometer expanse in Russia's far northwest, serves as a crucial hub for Russia's strategic nuclear arsenal and long-range aviation. The Northern Fleet, based in the Kola Peninsula, is a key component of this presence, comprising nuclear-powered submarines equipped with strategic ballistic missiles, multipurpose submarines, surface vessels, coastal missile systems, naval aviation, and long-range aviation units. Russia has also deployed Tu-160 intercontinental range strategic bombers for operations over neutral Arctic waters, underscoring its long-range power projection in the region.

New Military Facilities Emerge Near Finnish Border

Beyond the established strategic assets, Häkkänen highlighted the construction of new military facilities directly along the Finnish border. Satellite imagery and reports indicate Russia is reactivating a long-abandoned military garrison in Petrozavodsk, near the Finnish border, to house the newly formed 44th Army Corps. This corps is projected to include up to 15,000 personnel. Additionally, a new military town is under construction in Kandalaksha, Murmansk region, designed to support a new artillery and engineering brigade, potentially adding 2,000 troops to the Kola Peninsula, less than 150 kilometers from the Finnish border. These developments follow Finland's accession to NATO in 2023.

Finland's Response and Broader Arctic Context

In response to these developments, Minister Häkkänen advocated for increased vigilance, stating it would be 'wise to monitor the Arctic and increase Arctic capabilities' for deterrence purposes. He affirmed that Finland's armed forces are 'fully adapted to Arctic conditions' and prepared to share their expertise with allies. Finland has welcomed NATO's defense plan for the High North, which includes the launch of Operation 'Arctic Sentry' in February 2026, aimed at strengthening deterrence and defense across the region. Finland has also secured approval for €1 billion in EU defense loan funding, with a significant portion earmarked for enhancing its land forces with equipment such as armored vehicles and drones. The country is also progressing with the construction of a 200-kilometer border fence, with the first 35 kilometers completed in May 2025, and has maintained the closure of its land border crossings with Russia due to concerns over alleged 'instrumentalisation' of migrants.